Guidelines for Synopsis Writing

1. Introductory. The aim of this compilation is to guide NUMS’ Master and Ph.D.

students in writing research proposal of reasonable quality. The postgraduate studies

office is always pleased to provide guidance and support for postgraduate students

for completion and timely submission of their synopsis and thesis. Students are

expected to be fully aware of their responsibilities to meet all deadlines, formatting

requirements and paperwork needed to be done for the completion and submission

of their synopsis/ thesis.

2. Synopsis contents/ structure. A synopsis is an outline of the proposed research

project to be conducted in the University for postgraduate studies. It highlights a clear

research question and approaches to solve the problem, its originality and

significance. It should be concise, avoid repetitions and provide sufficient details to be

accepted on academic merits. A synopsis should be constructed in a manner that

facilitates the supervisory committee to assess the originality of the idea, background

information, methodology, outcome and feasibility of the research project. It should be

structured in the manner explained hereinafter.

3. Title page. The title page of a synopsis should include title of the research project,

name of the student, degree for which synopsis is being written (e.g. M.Sc, M.Phil.,

Ph.D. etc.), name of discipline (e.g. pathology) and name of the supervisor,

department, institution, university and supervisory committee members alongwith

their qualifications, designations and place of work.

4. Title. The title should be brief, specific and reflect the main objectives of study. It

should neither be too short nor too long to exceed fifty words. Superfluous phrases or

expressions such as ‘an investigation into’ must be avoided.

5. Project summary. A project summary describes the proposed research giving a clear

idea about the background information, research question and student’s intent to

explore the key issues. The student should summarise the major components of the

research proposal including a background/ rationale of study, short statement of the

problem, objectives/ hypothesis of the study, research design, methodology of data

analysis and anticipated results and their significance.

6. Keywords. This section is an alphabetically ordered list of the appropriate keywords

up to 5-8 that would help to find out the recent literature on the relevant subject in a

search engine. The words should be separated by semi-colon (;).

7. Introduction. Gives the background of the project and the rationale for conducting

the study. The introduction consists of well-written three paragraphs to efficiently and

meaningfully set the context of the proposed research. The first paragraph introduces

the main area of research and relevant background in the subject area in precise

manner. The problem under study must be relevant to the community and national

needs to improve the healthcare system. The second paragraph introduces the project

by describing the specific gap in the present knowledge or existing problem in the

basic biomedical field/healthcare system particularly in Pakistan. It should further

describe critical analysis of the problem being studied in precise and clear terms

based on the review of recent scientific literature. It is important that in this paragraph,

the research question for which the proposed investigation aims to find an answer is

explicitly formulated. The third which is the final paragraph should highlight the

proposed objectives and justification for the conduct of the study. An explanation of

its significance should be used as an opportunity to demonstrate that research has

not been conducted/performed before and that the proposed project will really add

something new to the existing scientific literature.

8. Objectives of the Study. All research projects should have ‘SMART’ objectives

(Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound). They must be

consistent with the problem and identify the variables involved in the research. The

objectives should be clearly stated and logically presented. Students are advised to

resist any temptation to put too many objectives or over-ambitious objectives that

cannot be adequately achieved under the protocol. Objectives are written in ‘action

verbs’ 1. to determine 2. to compare…. etc. After statement of the primary objective,

secondary objectives may be mentioned.

9. Hypothesis. The researchers formulate a hypothesis as an expectation concerning

the relationship between the variables in the research project. Generally, there are

two types of hypotheses, null and alternate. The null hypothesis: where the researcher

makes a statement of no difference from an expected outcome. In the alternate

hypothesis: the researcher makes a statement that a true difference does exist

between expected and obtained outcomes. However, it must be kept in mind that

descriptive studies do not carry or involve any hypothesis.

10. Significance/ impact/ benefits of study. It emphasizes on the significance/

importance of the research work/ study; vital contribution of the results of the study

and who will benefit from it. Convince the reviewers that the proposed research will

make a significant and substantial contribution to increase the knowledge in the

particular subject/area /literature. It should be possible in most cases to predict the

specific and general benefits for people and policy-maker on completion of the

proposed research.

11. Review of literature/ justification for the research problem. Review of literature in

a synopsis helps the reviewer in assessing the knowledge of the researcher. It

familiarises the reviewers to the problem under study and the work done by other

researchers at local or international level on similar subjects. A comprehensive and

up-to-date literature review clearly highlights the existing gaps. It assists in identifying

various variables in the research project and conceptualises their relationship.

Research methodology of the researcher can be structured and modified after

reviewing the literature. It helps the researcher to understand the difficulties faced by

others and the corrective steps taken or modifications made by them. The reviewer

can assess the work put in by the researcher, assists in the feasibility and justification

of the proposed research project to address the national needs. Use of very old

references (more than 5 years old) when adding information from literature should be

avoided. References must be properly cited in all paragraphs using author/ year

format.

12. Research methodology (plan). Student should specify what research methodology

is chosen to conduct the study and justify the specific approach selected to

substantiate the proposed research project. This section should also include the

following:

a) Setting: State the place where research work will be undertaken and data will be

collected. This may be a hospital and / or its department(s)/ labs or the community

or both.

b) Study design: Mention the name of the appropriate study design which should

preferably relate to objectives (qualitative or quantitative research). A single study

design or a combination can be selected e.g. cross-sectional study or survey;

observational analytical designs; prospective study; experimental designs or

clinical or field trials.

c) Sample size: The sample size should be adequate to apply all relevant tests of

statistical significance and has appropriate power. The sample size depends on

the study design. The sample size must be justified scientifically as how it was

calculated. The parameters used for sample size calculations must be clearly

mentioned and referenced.

d) Sampling technique: The study population can be healthy people, patients or

recipients of certain treatment, animal or medical device. There are many methods

for sampling like simple random, systemic and stratified sampling, cluster

sampling, etc. The sample should be representative of the population and should

be reliable. This minimises sampling errors. Type of sampling employed for each

category of subjects under study should be mentioned.

i. Inclusion criteria, on what bases will the study subject be inducted in the

study? Background variables which are considered for inclusion must be

stated. In case of special circumstances, the criteria must clearly state the

inclusion strategy.

ii. Exclusion criteria, on what bases will the study subject be excluded from

the study? How the variables mentioned in exclusion criteria are detected?

Exclusion must also be justified as what pushed the researcher to exclude

a particular subject from the study.

13. Ethical approval. Wherever necessary, Ethical Committee’s approval from the

institute must be obtained and attached with the synopsis. Ethical approval is required

in all human and animal studies. Consent as approved by Institutional Review Board

should invariably be used.

14. Analytical Methods/ Data collection procedure. Complete details of data collection

procedure should be mentioned. The researcher will have to describe the method of

data collection, which may be in the form of a questionnaire(s), interviews, screening

procedures, medical examination, laboratory investigations/ experiments/ instruments

and quality control to get reliable and valid data. Clinical trials should have the

proprietary names, chemical composition, dose and frequency of administration of

drugs in the trial protocol.

15. Data/ statistical analysis, Data analysis is an important part of a research project

and must mention the statistical package use for data analysis like SPSS. A good

analysis leads to good results. The plans for data analysis should be mentioned as

follows:

a. Type of variables alongwith analysis plan must be mentioned.

b. Type of statistical test in case of analytical studies, corresponding to type of

comparing variables, correlation, regression, ANOVA must be mentioned.

c. Level of significance for rejecting the null hypothesis must be mentioned (less

than 0.05 is significant).

d. Computer program/software used and data sorting method must be mentioned.

16. Collaborating organisations. The researchers are encouraged to collaborate with

partner(s) within and outside Pakistan. In this regard, the researcher is required to

identify complementarity and/or justify the need for collaboration, clearly identify the

part(s) of research that will be carried out in the collaborator’s laboratory and include

a letter from collaborating partner/agency expressing willingness to collaborate.

17. Facilities and budget. The details of facilities (equipment available for the research

project in the host university/ institution and budget estimate for proposed project

should be reported as under:

Description

% of time

devoted to

project

year 1 year 2 Amount

(in million Rs.)

Equipment

Subtotal:

Reagents/kits

Subtotal:

Subtotal:

Subtotal:

18. Duration/ Timeline: The expected duration of research study and why this duration

is required (number of patients, hospital tests, data collection and analysis, report

writing, etc.). A detailed timetable (Gantt chart) of students’ activities on a weekly or

monthly basis, outlining targets that he expects to achieve per week or month for the

entire duration of the study.

19. References: References are given in Harvard, style i.e. body of the text and take the

form of the author’s surname followed by the date of the publication, all within

parentheses, e.g., (Johnston, 1917). Detail is given in the Appendix E.

Official documents required, all applicants are required to fill in the following forms as

related to their study. Blank forms can be downloaded from NUMS’ website. e.g.

synopsis format and forms, etc.

i. Covering letter (subject: consideration of synopsis)

ii. Ethical Approval letter from the concerned Institution Review Board (IRB)

iii. Informed consent form Consent form taken must also be attached

iv. Plagiarism report

20. Format of synopsis:

a. Language: English.

b. Text: should be in a single column and black in color.

c. Page size: Page size should be A4.

d. Margins: The left margin should measure 1.5 inches. The right, bottom and top

margins should each measure 1 inch.

e. Line spacing: Line spacing, of all text, including bibliographic references,

should be 1.5. Figures, tables and their captions should be single-spaced. Line

spacing should be 6 points (before and after) between the paragraphs.

f. Font style: Times New Roman font style should be used.

g. Font size: should be 12 points in main body text. For figures, tables, captions

and charts, a font size of 10 points is to be used.

h. Headings and sub-headings: Headings should appear at center of the page,

all in capitals, bold 14 point font, sub-headings should be left aligned, all in

capitals, bold and 12 point font.

i. Page numbering: Page numbers should be placed at the center bottom of the

page. Page numbers must be in the same font and font size as your text. Except

for the title page, page numbers must be placed on each page of the synopsis.

All pages of the synopsis should be numbered consecutively in Arabic

numerals (1, 2, 3…).

SYNOPSIS

Title:

Dr. ___________________

Ph.D. Trainee in ------------------

(Registration No. ----------------)

Academic Supervisor

______________________

______________________

Department of --------------------

Institute --------------

National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi

Title of Research Project: ____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Synopsis submitted for:

□Master □M.Phil.Ph.D.

Discipline:

Pathology (Chemical Pathology)

Name of the Applicant:

Dr. -------------------------

Qualifications (list all; with date)

Date of Enrollment:

_________________

Registration No.

_________________

Supervisor

Signature: _________________________

Name: _________________________

Qualification: _________________________________

Designation: __________________________

Address:

Department of Chemical Pathology & Endocrinology, AFIP/AFPGMI Rawalpindi.

Phone No: 03------……………………… Email: ……………………. @yahoo.com

Head of Department

Signature: _____________________

Name:________________________

References

References are given in Harvard style i.e. body of the text and take the form of the author’s surname followed by the date of the publication, all within parentheses, e.g., (Johnston, 1917).

References book. The standard reference format for a book is: author(s) or editor(s)

surname (s)/ and the initial(s) of their first name(s), year of publication, title of book

(italicised), book edition (where the book is beyond the 1st edition), place of publication,

publisher, page numbers you have taken information from (in case of a direct quote or a

diagram, picture, etc.). Examples are given below:

Material Type In-text

Example Reference List Example

Book: Single

author

Costanzo

(2006) wrote

that...

Costanzo L. (2006). Physiology, Philadelphia: Saunders

Elsevier.

Book: 2

authors

(Pears &

Shields,

2008).

Pears, R. & Shields, G. (2008). Cite them

right: The essential referencing guide, 3rd ed.

New York: Springer Publishing Co.

Book: more

than 2 authors

(Simon et al.,

1996).

Simon, L.S., Lipman, A.G. and Jacox, A.K. (2002). Pain in

Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Chronic

Arthritis, 2nd ed. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society.

Book: no

author

Black's

medical

(1979).

Black's medical dictionary, (1979). 32nd ed. London: A. & C.

Black.

Book: editor (Galanter,

2001).

Galanter, M. (ed.) (2001). Services Research in the Era of

Managed Care, New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.

Book: 2 or

more editors

(Patrick &

Scambler,

1986).

Patrick, D. & Scambler, G. (eds.) 1986. Sociology as applied

to medicine, London: Balliere Tindall.

Book: chapter

or article in an

edited book

Bergeron and

Lowe (2003)

stated that...

Bergeron, C. and Lowe, J. (2003). Frontotemporal

degeneration: introduction. In: Dickson, D.W. (ed.)

Neurodegeneration: The Molecular Pathology of Dementia

and Movement Disorders, Switzerland: Neuropath Press,

pp.342-348.

eBook Veletsianos

(2010) stated

that. . .

Veletsianos, G. (2010). Emerging technologies in medical

education, London: Routledge. Retrieved from: eBrary

database. [Accessed 29 September 2015].

eBook:

chapter in an

eBook

(Resnick,

2001).

Resnick, N.M. (2001). Geriatric medicine. In: Braunwald,

E., A.S. and Isselbacher, K.J. (eds.) Harrison's Online. Based

on: Braunwald, E., Hauser, S.L., Fauci, A.S., Kasper, D.L.,

Longon, D.L. and Jameson, J.L. (eds.) Harrison's Principles

of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved

from:

http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/resources/documentation/harri

sonsinfo.html.[Accessed 6 December 2015].

References from journals’ articles. use last name followed by authors’ first name initials.

Write the year of publication (in parentheses), title of article, name of journal (in italics,

capitalise the first letter of each word). Mention volume of journal and issue (in

parentheses). Write pages of articles at the end with hyphen in between the first and last

page of article. Examples are as under:

Material Type In-Text Example Reference List Example

Journal article: print (Henderson,

2005)

(Arrami &

Garner, 2008)

(Nowotny et al.,

2015)

Henderson, J. (2005). Google Scholar: A source for

clinicians? Canadian Medical Association Journal,

172 (12) 1549-1550.

Arrami, M. & Garner, H. (2008). A tale of two

citations. Nature, 451 (7177) 397-399.

Nowotny, K., Jung, T. and Grune, T. (2015).

Advanced glycation end products and oxidative

stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Biomolecules, 5 (1)

194-222.

Journal article:

electronic database

(Castell, 2008) Castell, F. (2008). Professionalism in nursing

practice. Nursing Journal, 12(9) 13-17. Retrieved

from CINAHL. [Accessed 13 October 2015].

Journal article: online

only journal (volume &

issue number available

(Koopman,

2001)

Koopman, W. J. (2001). Prospects for

autoimmune disease: Research advances in

rheumatoid arthritis. JAMA: Journal of the

American Medical Association, 285(5) 648-650.

Retrieved from: http://jama.ama-assn.org/

[Accessed 13 October 2015].

Journal article: Digital

Object Identifier (DOI)

(Strachan et al.,

2008)

Strachan, M.W., Price, J.F. & Frier, B.M. (2008).

Diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia.

BMJ, 336 (7634) 6. doi: 10.1136/bmj. [Accessed

10 November 2016].

Website World Health

Organisation,

(2010)

World Health Organisation. (2010). Tuberculosis.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/10

4/en/ [Accessed 14 February 2012].

Dissertations and

Theses

(Khan, 2016) Khan, N.A. (2016). Mechanisms of Antibiotic

Resistance. Ph.D. thesis, National University of

Medical Sciences.

Conference

proceedings/abstracts

Khuri, F.R., Lee, J.J. and Lippman, S.M.(2003).

Effects on head and neck cancer tumors. In:

Proceedings from the American Society of Clinical

Oncology; May 30-31; Chicago, IL. Abstract 359.